DEPLOYMENT AND REINTEGRATION SUPPORT PROGRAM

1. DEPLOYMENT AND REINTEGRATION SUPPORT PROGRAM A DLA Installation Support Program

2. Briefing Overview • General Preparedness Tips • Stages of Deployment • Reunion/Reintegration Tips • Suicide Prevention • Stress Reactions and Combat Stress • Sources of Support and Assistance • Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program

3. General Preparedness Pre-Deployment Preparation & Communication: • Personal & legal affairs • Update legal papers: wills, power of attorney, durable power of attorney (financial, medical), estate planning • Review examples of legal documents prior to meeting with attorney • http://www.worklife4you.com • https://www.arfp.org/skins/ARFP/display.aspx?mode=user&ModuleId=8cde2e88-3052-448c-893d-d0b4b14b31c4&action=display_page&ObjectID=553d6750-496b-4e2a-b489-606733e963dc • Update financial records • Develop system for maintaining records

4. General Preparedness • Prepare file of important papers (titles, birth certificates) • How bills are paid (account numbers) • Consider giving on-line account passwords to someone • Service members should check for expiration date of ALL family members’ ID cards • Contact appropriate personnel office to initiate the proper paperwork • Give list of emergency contacts to several people

5. Stages of Emotional Cycle of Deployment • Pre-Deployment (varies) • Deployment (1st month) • Sustainment (beyond 1st month) • Preparing for Reunion (last month) • Reunion/Reintegration (3-6 months after deployment)

6. Pre-Deployment Stage • Talking to your Spouse and/or Parents • Pre-deployment phase often stressful for both deployer and loved one • Don’t over-interpret arguments (more about mutual stress than relationship) • Include discussing difficult topics like “handling fidelity issues, rumors, finances” • Talking to your Children or Grandchildren • Children need age-appropriate information • Issues for Singles • Different planning is required

7. Pre-Deployment Stage:Planning to Keep in Touch • Deployer • Prepare video and/or audio tapes (reading stories to younger children, words of encouragement, holiday greetings in advance) • Photos of yourself and with family • Communication: • Telephone • E-mail when possible (establish accounts prior to leaving) • Skype • Social Networking • Snail mail (bring stationery and cards such as holiday, birthday, miss you cards) • Loved Ones • Packages - Loved ones need to know what to send and how to send it (essentials along with fun stuff) • Keep a scrapbook of school work • Journal about daily activities and events • Video diary

8. Deployment Stage Time Frame: 1st Month Family Impact Strengthening Strategies

9. Preparing for Reunion Stage(Last month of deployment) • Establish realistic expectations about the reunion itself • Communicate your reunion expectations • Talk about how you feel • What does your loved one expect of you? • Mixed emotions like excitement, worry, or confusion • Plan activities for the reunion itself • Plan one-on-one time and celebrations with each family member • Don’t schedule too much • Allow for flexibility and “down time”

10. Reunion/Reintegration Stage The First Week Take time for Yourself- • Don’t over-schedule • Manage stress • Make time to rest • Go slowly into getting back into the swing of things • Expected your children to test limits • Intimacy Problems are not unusual

11. Reunion/Reintegration Stagefor Deployee and Loved One Reunion, Adjustment and Renegotiation Reintegration and Stabilizations • Keep Expectations realistic • Share quiet time together • Watch your spending • Be patient with each other and children • Celebrate personal growth due to the deployment • Adjust to being together again • “Back to Normal” • Keep in touch with all the friends and family members who were supported during deployment

12. Reunion Challenges • Transition from Deployment • Members and providers may experience physical, psychological and social challenges associated with the transition • Physical challenges include, adjusting to diet, dealing with chronic conditions, fatigue and sleep disturbance • Psychological challenges include emotional detachment, hyper- vigilance, hyper-stimulated, adjusting to routine of everyday life, mood swings, substance use • Social challenges include adjusting to lost of unit cohesion and complexity of “normal life” • Recommendations • Transition has many components and takes time to unfold. It varies considerably across personnel and over time, members and families need time and support systems are available throughout the process.

13. Strategies to Building Resiliency • Make connections and reach out to your deployed members • Accept and face your fears • Nurture good relationship with families and friends • Regulate your emotions and avoid impulsive behavior • Maintain realistic optimism

14. Suicide Prevention:Warning Signs When a individual presents with any combination of the following, the buddy or chain of command should be more vigilant. It is advised that help should be secured for the Individual • Talk of suicide or killing someone else • Giving away property or disregard for what happens to one’s property • Withdrawal from friends and activities • Problems with girlfriend (boyfriend) or spouse • Acting bizarre or unusual (based on your knowledge of the person) • Individual in trouble for misconduct • Individual experiencing financial problems • • Individuals who have lost their job at home (reservists) • •Those individuals leaving the Service (retirements, ETSs, etc.) Get immediate assistance from a helping provider when these warning signs occur: • Talking or hinting about suicide • Formulating a plan to include acquiring the means to kill oneself • Having a desire to die • Obsession with death (music, poetry, artwork) • Themes of death in letters and notes • Finalizing personal affairs • Giving away personal possessions

15. Suicide Risk Factors Risk factors are those things that increase the probability that difficulties could result in serious adverse behavioral or physical health. The risk factors only raise the risk of an individual being suicidal it does not mean they are suicidal: Risk Factors • Relationship problems (loss of girlfriend or boyfriend, divorce, etc.). • History of previous suicide attempts. • Substance abuse. • History of depression or other mental illness. • Family history of suicide or violence. • Work related problems. • Transitions (retirement, PCS, discharge, etc.). • A serious medical problem. • Significant loss (death of loved one, loss due to natural disasters, etc.). • Current/pending disciplinary or legal action. • Setbacks (academic, career, or personal). • Severe, prolonged, and/or perceived unmanageable stress. • A sense of powerlessness, helplessness, and/or hopelessness Suicidal Risk Highest When • The person sees no way out and fears things may get worse. • The predominant emotions are hopelessness and helplessness. • Thinking is constricted with a tendency to perceive his or her situation as all bad. • Judgment is impaired by use of alcohol or other substances.

16. Buddies Can Prevent Suicide Ask your buddy • Have the courage to ask the question, but stay calm • Ask the question directly, e.g., Are you thinking of killing yourself? Care for your buddy • Remove any means that could be used for self-injury • Calmly control the situation; do not use force • Actively listen to produce relief Escort your buddy • Never leave your buddy alone • Escort to the chain of command, a Chaplain, a behavioral health professional, or a primary care provider The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

17. Suicide Prevention • What NOT to do: • Don't try to cheer the person up or tell them to snap out of it • Don't assume the situation will take care of itself • Don't be sworn to secrecy • Don't argue or debate moral issues • Don't risk your personal safety. Just leave and get help.

18. Preventing Suicide • Nurture supportive family connections • Make use of easy access to medical and mental health care • Be aware of resources for substance abuse treatment • Limit access to lethal means of suicide • Develop good problem solving and overall life skills • Embrace beliefs that discourage suicide • Seek out positive outlets for community involvement

19. When to Get Help − Remember: These challenges are usually normal reactions to abnormal situations ● Over time, these symptoms will slowly go away − Seek Help If the Symptoms: ● Interfere with normal duties and/or daily living and continue for more than 6 to 8 weeks ● Involve dangerous behavior, i.e., thoughts of hurting self or others, reckless drinking, drug use, family violence, etc.

20. Reliable Sources of Assistance Where to get help: • Installation Deployment and Reintegration Program Managers • Medical Facility • DLA Life Connections • Employee Assistance Programs for DoD Civilians • Military One Source • Supervisors • Unit Commander • Chain of Command

21. DLA Life Connections • DLA Life Connections provides free educational materials and personalized referrals to assist with: • Child Care and Parenting • Adult Care and Aging • Health & Wellness • Education • Financial/Legal Concerns • Daily Life • Contract Information • Toll-free number available 24/7 to speak with an train counselor 866-426-0390 (800-873-1322 TTY/TDD) • Web site www.worklife4you.com Screen Name: DLA (case sensitive) Password DLA (case sensitive)

22. DLA Life ConnectionsWork/Life Services Legal/Financial Help • Credit/Debt Management • Educational Funding • Retirement & Estate Planning • Financing Life Events • Insurance • Living Wills • Mortgages and Loans

23. Additional Family Support Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Counseling for Civilians • 6 sessions to employee or spouse on one issue • No limits to number of issues • Licensed Counselors • Available: 24 hrs/7 days a week • Drug and Substance Abuse • 1-800-222-0364

24. Military One Source • Non-medical Counseling and Information services • Eligible: • Active Duty, Reservists and Guards and their families • Deployed DoD civilians • 6 months before and 6 months after deployment • 1-800-342-9647 • www.militaryonesource.com • User Id: military • Password: onesource

25. American Red Cross • Helps deployed personnel and their families cope with separation and other special needs related to serves in the Armed Forces • Emergency communications • World wide communications • Comfort and counseling • Verification of emergency situations • Access to emergency financial assistance • ARC online http://www.redcross.org or 877-272-7337

26. Sexual Assault Sexual Assault: “Intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent.” “Consent" shall not be deemed or construed to mean the failure by the victim to offer physical resistance. Consent is not given when a person uses: • Force • Threat of force • Coercion • The victim is asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious.

27. CONFIDENTIALITYTWO TYPES OF REPORTING… • Restricted Report • Victim’s choice • Provide Information • Medical Treatment • Optional Forensic Exam • Evidence collection • Chaplain • Unrestricted Report • Victim’s choice • Provide Information • Medical Treatment • Forensic Exam • CID Investigation • Victim Witness • JAG/Legal • Chaplain For additional information: http://www.sapr.mil

28. Exceptions to Confidentiality • A victim consents in writing • When required to determine fitness for duty or disability retirement • To supervise direct victim services adequately • Ordered by federal or state statute

29. Protect Yourself • Be clear about your intentions • Trust your gut-level feelings • Be forceful and firm -- do not give in to avoid creating a scene or unpleasantness • Be prepared to get yourself home -- don’t leave a group situation with someone you don’t know well • Avoid secluded places -- pay attention to your surroundings • Do not accept drinks from anyone except bartenders and waitresses and don’t leave your drink unattended • Party by the buddy system or go with a group or double date • Socialize with people who share your values • Be Creative - “I am a mother and here are pictures of my children”

30. I. A.M. Strong Campaign • INTERVENE: When I recognize a threat to my fellow deployment member, I will have the personal courage to INTERVENE and prevent Sexual Assault. I will condemn acts of Sexual Harassment. I will not abide obscene gestures, language, or behavior. I am a warrior and a member of a team. I will INTERVENE. • ACT: You are my brother, my sister, my fellow deployment member. It is my duty to stand up for you, no matter the time or place. I will take ACTION. I will do what’s right. I will prevent Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault. I will not tolerate sexually offensive behavior. I will ACT. • MOTIVATE: We are American citizens, MOTIVATED to keep our fellow members safe. It is our mission to prevent Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault. We will denounce sexual misconduct. As Department of Defense personnel, we are all MOTIVATED to take action. • We are strongest … together. Loyalty    Duty                     Respect                  Selfless Service                Honor                    Integrity                    Personal Courage

31. Thank you for the sacrifices you are making in support of the freedoms we enjoy.